Books

BLUES HANDS

Through images of hands, this book conveys the strength, beauty, diversity, depth, and power of the blues, the root of all American music. It features photographs from Joseph A. Rosen’s 30-plus years of adventure in blues and music photography. Included are such noted music personalities as B.B. King, Gary Clark Jr., Buddy Guy, Al Green, Willie King, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, The Blind Boys of Alabama, james Brown. The book holds rich treasures for lovers of music, photography, and the human form. One need not be deeply versed in the blues to appreciate the beauty, strength, and diversity of those who make it. With powerful imagery, as well as anecdotes and biographical information, Blues Hands tells a story of human experience.

Joseph A. Rosen is a freelance photographer based in New York City. His work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, the New York Times, Sports Illustrated and more. In addition to his regular corporate and commercial work, his music clients are among the greatest names in Blues, Jazz, R & B, Soul, Rock, Cajun and Zydeco, as well as record companies, management groups and music publications. Joe began seriously photographing Blues in 1976 with a pilgrimage to see Muddy Waters, and has been photographing the Blues continuously ever since. He received the prestigious ‘Keeping the Blues Alive in Photography and Art Award’ for 2002. The award is presented by the Blues Foundation to an artist who has created a body of work that has brought the Blues to the public and “made a significant contribution to the Blues world”.

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“Without the trained eye of the photographer, you’d have snapshots rather than the remarkable art available on these pages. Joe Rosen has been trailing the performers showcased in this work for many years. BLUES HANDS is his gift to all of us — whether present at those events or not. Thanks, Joe.”

Bob Porter
Bob is a Grammy Award-winning writer/producer, radio personality on WBGO/Newark, and member of the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame

“Years ago I learned that certain cultures would not allow people to take their portraits, as they believed that their souls would be captured forever in the photos. I always thought, yes, that is what a good photographer should reveal, and Joe always has. His pictures of musicians over the years have captured their spirit…..”

Bill Wax
Bill is the Original Program Director of BB King’s Bluesville on Sirius XM Radio and former Chairman of the Board of Directors, Blues Foundation

“Joe Rosen knows how to set up a photograph and then close the deal at just the right instant. Neither of these qualities can be bought or downloaded. It takes experience, true, but primarily it is an innate creativity to see the unseen, to move beyond the obvious and to bring forth an image that is brilliant today and timeless for the memory.”

Dick Waterman
Dick is a Photographer, author, member Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and former manager Son House, John Hurt, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt and other Blues artists